Help young lives learn how to farm in Africa

NETWORK OF AGRIC AND SUSTAINABLE LEADERS FOR AFRICA (NASLA)

ROOTBIZ QUARTERLY WORKSHOP – SPRING 2022

Date of training: 04/03/2021

Venue of the training: Bessi-fomukong village,   Mbengwi

Duration of the training Start time 10:30 am End time 1:30 pm 

Classroom sessions: 2 hours  Practical hands-on session: 1hour 

Theme of the training: INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY IN PIG PRODUCTION SYSTEMS THROUGH PROPER FEED FORMULATION TECHNIQUES, BIOSECURITY MEASURES AND  MARKETING STRATEGIES.

Beneficiaries: Youth, Women  Pig Farmers (Producers)

Number of participants: = 50 (30 youths and 20 women)

Contact Persons: Mr. Tendong, NASLA Founder/Director / Ms. Zie, Program Manager

Context and rationale: Within the framework of the NASLAAfrica ROOTBIZ capacity building  program, it was identified that pig producers (farmers) in Bessi-fomukong village in Mbengwi Subdivision lack sufficient knowledge of feed formulation, biosecurity measures, and the  various marketing strategies to sell their produce, from the problem identified and chosen for  animation, a theme was formulated as: INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY IN PIG PRODUCTION  SYSTEMS THROUGH PROPER FEED FORMULATION TECHNIQUES, BIOSECURITY MEASURES  AND MARKETING STRATEGIES with objectives;

Objectives: To share ideas, and experiences and improve farmers’ knowledge of feed formulation techniques, biosecurity measures, and good marketing strategies for sustainability. 

(types of locally adaptable breed, type of feed, feed ingredients, method of mixing (tools),  method of storage, frequency of feeding, frequency of cleaning pigsty house,  vaccination/treatment, and marketing strategies).

The training session started at 10:00 am with 42 participants present together with two trainers, and two volunteers in charge of the execution of the training.

The workshop agenda was presented as follows:

Arrival and registration of participants 

Welcome by the project coordinator 

Objectives and expected results

Presentation of NASLA Africa and the ROOT Biz Program 

Presentation of the program of the workshop 

Introduction of participants 

Training proper

Introduction to feed formulation for pigs

Nutrients

Ingredients

Balance feed

Level of inclusion of feed ingredients

Feed formula

Introduction on biosecurity

Causal agents of diseases in pigs

Prevention and control of diseases in pigs

How to identify sick animals

Some common diseases in pigs

Drug administration

Marketing strategies 

Questions and answers

Practical Demonstration of feed formulation

Closing remarks

A word of prayer was offered by Mr. Tendong who used this opportunity to welcome everyone. There was a brief introduction of all participants who were present at the training ground. 

Thereafter, the objectives and expected results of the training were presented by the Ms. Zie which were the following:

OBJECTIVES:

1. To ensure proper feed formulation techniques

2. To ensure timely intervention in addressing minor animal health concerns.

3. To improve on the know-how of pig farmers in fostering sustainable livestock production activities.

4. Ensure a remarkable increase in both quantity and quality of pigs

5. Train pig farmers on the appropriate techniques for identifying sick animals

6. Train pig farmers on the handling of animal health instruments and drugs.

7. To create awareness about good marketing opportunities and strengthen farmers' knowledge of effective marketing strategies. 

EXPECTED RESULTS:

1. Pig farmers to possess a better knowledge of the formulation of animal feed
2. Pig farmers to possess a better knowledge of animal health and identification of sick  animals

3. Pig farmers to possess a better knowledge of various pig common diseases, their signs,  symptoms, and drugs of choice for curative purposes.

4. Pig farmers to possess better knowledge to prevent disease/infection from entering their farms and spread of infection within the farm

5. Pig farmers to possess a better knowledge of how to sell their pigs 

In the introduction of the subject matter terms related to feed formulation was defined, and “biosecurity” was also defined, stating the different types of feed ingredients, different types of biosecurity, and the importance of a balanced feed and biosecurity to a farmer’s production in relation to pig farming. The different disease causal agents (bacterias, fungi, viruses,  parasites, environmental diseases, poisoning, etc.) were discussed.

Furthermore, the farmers (producers) were explained the:

use of the main raw materials for feed formulation from their farms' notion of nutrients, ingredients, balanced feed

use of any feed formula to come out with a balanced feed

principles of preventing animal disease attack

Practices, preventive measures,(offensive and defensive)

different techniques to market their pigs

Different methods that could be used to identify a sick pig were also treated with great emphasis being laid on several points (use of sight, observation, changes in behavior, use of smell, use of touch, the use of sound).

To add, some common animal diseases were examined their signs and symptoms and route treatments that could be given, and the different ways in which drugs can be administered to animals with great warnings that it is very risky for farmers to use administration by injection.

In the session on marketing strategies, farmers were sensitized to 5 basic marketing channels to sell their produce locally and regionally. They were also trained on the 3 main Ps of marketing  (Price, Promotion, and People) that can easily be adapted and practiced in their environment while encouraging the farmers on the importance of good community relationships (people relationships) to boost their marketing. 

At the end of the training, the room was given to the producers to ask questions for better understanding and clarification. Several questions were posed which were answered. The training ended at 1:30 am with refreshments and departure.

Links:

• NASLA Facebook Page
• NASLA Website